BOB MACKIN, QMI Agency

VANCOUVER -- A pair of injury time goals by Brazilian striker Camilo Sanvezzo allowed the Vancouver Whitecaps to salvage a 3-3 Major League Soccer draw Saturday against Sporting Kansas City.

Kansas City’s Hamilton-born striker Teal Bunbury gave his team a 1-0 lead just before halftime. He beat Whitecaps’ goalkeeper Jay Nolly again in the 58th minute and Kei Kamara made it 3-0 just four minutes later.

Vancouver’s Atiba Harris finally ended Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen’s shutout bid in the 72nd with help from Sanvezzo and substitute Nizar Khalfan.

“I always felt once we got the first goal we'd get more,” Harris said. “In the first half Camilo created a lot of chances for himself, the goalie was unbelievable and kept them in the game.”

The Whitecaps appeared destined for their first home loss in their young MLS tenure until playmaker Sanvezzo scored consecutive goals.

Whitecaps captain Terry Dunfield knocked the ball into the penalty area where substitute Davide Chiumiento redirected the ball to Sanvezzo, who stunned Nielsen in the 92nd. Sanvezzo, who had a game-high four shots on goal, headed a Khalfan pass in the next minute to snatch the draw in front of 20,518 ecstatic fans.

“It was an incredible game,” Chiumiento said. “I think the difference was also the supporters, maybe in Europe, 3-0 after 60 minutes, everybody goes home.”

Sanvezzo, 22, joined the Whitecaps on March 17 after leading Qormi FC of Malta with 30 goals last season. Head coach Teitur Thordarson chose the native of Presidente Prudente, Brazil to replace Eric Hassli, the French striker suspended for one-game after a red card in the 1-0 March 26 loss at Philadelphia.

“He gave us two good goals, he is still not game fit,” Thordarson said. “In and around the box that is where he is dangerous.”

The 1-1-1 Whitecaps have little time to rest before hosting the New England Revolution on Wednesday.